York City chief Terry Dolan is hoping absence has made the hearts of his misfiring Minstermen grow fonder.

Dolan was a notable absence from the training ground earlier this week while he conducted secret scouting missions in the south.

With first team coach Adie Shaw taking charge, Dolan is hoping the adage 'a change is as good as a rest' will ring true.

"I have had two or three days away from them this week because I went down south on Monday before the Cheltenham game and stayed down when the game was off to do a little bit of scouting

"So the players had a release from me for two or three days.

"They were in good spirits when I returned so maybe it hasn't been a bad thing," he joked.

Due to recent postponements, none of the City squad will have kicked a ball in anger for 11 days come tomorrow's trip to Scunthorpe.

Dolan believes the enforced break has brought mixed blessings.

"As far as rest is concerned it will have done all the players some good because we haven't played since Carlisle," he said

Returning injured duo Lee Bullock and Darren Patterson were both due to play for the reserves in midweek and while they are named in tomorrow's squad the lack of match practice means they will probably start on the bench.

The Cheltenham cancellation means Marc Thompson remains suspended and so Dolan is expected to name an unchanged squad for the clash with the Iron.

Updated: 09:52 Friday, February 09, 2001